Muswell Hill Mosque: a conspiracy to defame the EDL and other theories presented as facts
WHEN the Al-Rahma Islamic Centre in London’s Muswell Hill was destroyed by fire the media went to work. No-one was in the building at the time of the fire. The letters “EDL” were written on an outside wall. That’s pretty much all we know. But others know more.
BBC: “Al-Rahma Islamic Centre destroyed in ‘hate crime’ fire”
An Islamic centre in north London has been destroyed by a fire in an apparent hate crime attack. The Met Police said the fire, which happened at the Al-Rahma Islamic Centre in Muswell Hill in the early hours, is being treated as suspicious.
A spokesman said the letters EDL (English Defence League) were sprayed on to the building, used by the Somali Bravanese Welfare Association. MP Theresa Villiers said: “This kind of hate crime is absolutely despicable.”
So. It was a hate crime. Fact!
The Sun: “Fire at mosque in Muswell Hill – feared to be EDL attack”
A MOSQUE in north London has been destroyed after a blaze which began in the early hours of this morning – feared to be a revenge attack by the English Defence League.
The Guardian: “Police investigate fire at Islamic community centre in Muswell Hill. Police confirm EDL graffiti found at site of blaze in Muswell Hil, London, as fears increase of reprisals after Woolwich murder”
Scotland Yard said: “The cause of the fire is currently under investigation and is being treated as suspicious at this stage … Graffiti reading EDL has been found on the building. Police are investigating any potential connection between the graffiti and the fire.”…
Until now the EDL has been seen as primarily a public order issue for police.
Isn’t that speculation?
Daily Mirror: “Muswell Hill mosque arson: Counter-terror police probe firebombing after EDL graffiti sprayed on centre”
London Mayor Boris Johnson today condemned firebombers who destroyed a mosque in a suspected EDL revenge attack for the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby.
Who needs an investigation? Job done. It was firebombers.
The Independent: “A right-wing arson attack? ‘EDL’ graffiti found after Muswell Hill mosque is burnt down amid fears of Woolwich connection”
If it proves to be an attack from a far-right group, it will be the most serious so far despite a reported reduction in incidents of reported abuse against the Muslim community following the Woolwich attack that killed Drummer Lee Rigby, 25, on May 22.
Scotland Yard specialist investigators are conducting a fingertip search of the area in Muswell Hill and trying to establish if the daubed paint was linked to the fire, which is currently being treated as “suspicious”.
Chief Superintendent Adrian Usher said: “Obviously a focal point of the investigation will be establishing whether that is connected to the fire”.
That’s the best summing up so far.
HuffPost: “Muswell Hill Mosque Attack Could Be Retaliation For Lee Rigby Murder”
Or it could not be. Or it could have been an insurance job. Or it…
The Times: “Terror police probe burnt-down Muswell Hill mosque after EDL graffiti found”
Ahmed Sheiba, 22, a helper who went to help to clear up at the centre, said that there was also EDL graffiti on the inside. The arsonists appeared to have broken into the building through a door at the rear.
Graffiti on the inside seems like a fact worth pondering.
Tottenham & Wood Green Journal: “Police not ruling arson out in Muswell Hill mosque fire”
Former Wood Green councillor Fiyaz Mughal, of Faith Matters, a group which monitors anti-Muslim hatred, said: “Bearing in mind this is close to Woolwich, bearing in mind that it houses Islamic activities, bearing in mind that they have found alleged EDL graffiti, there’s a strong likelihood that this could be an anti-Muslim incident.
“It is very concerning when we know that, online, there is a huge amount of anti-Muslim hate. We know that. When it moves into the physical world, it is extremely concerning.”
Mayor of London Boris Johnson:
“I was shocked to learn of the fire at the Bravanese Community Centre in Muswell Hill. There is no place in an open, tolerant and diverse city like London for hate, for prejudice, for violence. I would urge people to give the police the time and space to investigate this incident fully. I have no doubt the Met will bring those responsible to justice. London is a city built on the strength of its communities. Londoners will see this for what it is – cowardly, pathetic and utterly pointless.”
Boris, best to let the police investigate before saying too much.
Daily Express: “A Somali community centre destroyed by fire in Muswell Hill was targeted in a racially motivated attack, according to the Metropolitan Police.”
That’s not what the police said. They said they are investigating.
However, the Leader of the EDL, ‘Tommy Robinson’, told Channel 4 News Home Affairs Correspondent Simon Israel that he was “very sceptical” that his members were behind fire. “It could be Muslims trying to rubbish the EDL. They’ve done it before in Luton”, he said.
By vandalising the inside of a house of worship before burning it down? That likely?
Evening Standard:
A prominent member of the far-Right protest group English Defence League said: “Just because EDL is written on the wall, you can’t point the finger at us. It could have been anyone. The Government is not doing anything so people are taking things into their own hands. I don’t condemn this.”
Don’t condemn burning down a place spirituality. Thankfully, most of us do.
More to follow…
Posted: 5th, June 2013 | In: Reviews Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
